'06 CRD Mileage

dieseldriver56 · 06-10-2008, 06:53 PM

I have a 2006 Liberty CRD, bone stock, with all recall's performed.

My mileage averages 20mpg. My daily commute is 24 miles round trip, with maybe 21 on the highway. My speed stays between 63-68mph. I used to use cruise control, but after trying a ScanGaugeII, I get better mileage by carefully using the terrain, the cruise control is very aggressive uphill.

While using the ScanGaugeII, the highway mpg tended between 25-32 mpg during normal driving. I also learned how to optimize mileage on neighborhood streets with careful throttle control.

I've had no performance issues, no visits to the dealer other than the recalls. It's been totally reliable.

I'm careful on acceleration, I coast to lights when possible, I only use brakes when necessary to actually stop.

I'm sure that with my careful driving style, and commute miles being mostly highway, I should get better average mpg, say 23-34. This has been the consistent performance (depending on actual conditions) since I bought the vehicle.

What could be the problem?

**Bgeddes** · 06-10-2008, 10:05 PM

How many miles on the thing? Our mileage got better over the first year and a half. Seems to be a break in thing.

dieseldriver56 · 06-11-2008, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bgeddes

How many miles on the thing? Our mileage got better over the first year and a half. Seems to be a break in thing.

It's got about 18,500. It's been pretty consistent since I bought it new in Feb '06.

JoBo · 06-11-2008, 05:08 AM

I'm seeing your 21-22 on my 06 with mostly all short trip city driving and am happy with that. My highway mileage is where you want to be at 22-24 and I got 25 once. All these numbers are in warm weather. Some see 30 highway and I think this should be a reasonable expectation if driven conservitly. I've only got 16k miles on mine and as Bgeddes says, my past experience with VW's is it takes 20k to loosen up and get better mpg figures. So there is hope for better figures. The Imotion tune gives a claimed 10% increase for some and the Suncoast TC have given some better figures too.

Diesel driver,
How much pressure do you have in your tires? Uping it to close to the max listed on the sidewalls helps. I run 40 PSI in my my stock good years.

Joe

scottunangst · 06-11-2008, 05:25 AM

my '05 crd limited has only dropped below 20mpg when plowing snow or pulling a loaded 2 horse trailer around town. commuting to and from work(20 miles on state roads) is right around 25mpg. towing my fishing boat on the highway to the cape i got 27mpg, 32mpg on the way back without it. the preditor module i removed when the jeep had to go to the dealer for an egr before the warrenty ran out(to go back on soon) really did improve mpg 2 or 3 mpg with the performance gains.

dieseldriver56 · 06-11-2008, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottunangst

my '05 crd limited has only dropped below 20mpg when plowing snow or pulling a loaded 2 horse trailer around town. commuting to and from work(20 miles on state roads) is right around 25mpg. towing my fishing boat on the highway to the cape i got 27mpg, 32mpg on the way back without it. the preditor module i removed when the jeep had to go to the dealer for an egr before the warrenty ran out(to go back on soon) really did improve mpg 2 or 3 mpg with the performance gains.

Your figures (unloaded) are more like I'd expect given my particular commute; like 24-25. I go back and forth off-peak (leave home 6:00 AM, leave work 2:30 PM) so I don't have any rush hour traffic to interfere with consistent speeds. Only local roads close to work and home make me have to stop at lights and stop signs.

I'll investigate the chips/tuners that have been mentioned. I've avoided looking into that in the past, because I'd want to have feedback that the gains in efficiency are worth the cost. I don't need increased HP/Torque, so a chip that increased those without increasing efficiency would be a waste.

scottunangst · 06-12-2008, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseldriver56

Your figures (unloaded) are more like I'd expect given my particular commute; like 24-25. I go back and forth off-peak (leave home 6:00 AM, leave work 2:30 PM) so I don't have any rush hour traffic to interfere with consistent speeds. Only local roads close to work and home make me have to stop at lights and stop signs.

I'll investigate the chips/tuners that have been mentioned. I've avoided looking into that in the past, because I'd want to have feedback that the gains in efficiency are worth the cost. I don't need increased HP/Torque, so a chip that increased those without increasing efficiency would be a waste.

i also commute before the rush and constuction work sarts up(4 to 5am), traffic lights are still flashing. i did not beleave the claimed hp/torque gains, much less better milage. turned out all were true without exageration. the engine runs smoother, the slight hesitation at start off then surge when the turbo kicked are gone(nice when pulling horses). took longer to open the hood than install. list prices for my predator performace module ran between $500-$700 on online sites. i found mine on ebay fore buy it now($550) or make offer. i offered $350 and got it, have seen similare deals since. also put a dynomax cat back on, only differance is the tailpipe is now visible.

dieseldriver56 · 06-12-2008, 05:17 AM

scottunangst,

Thanks or the feedback. I'll check out the Predator module.

**xyz123** · 06-12-2008, 07:17 AM

06 CRD, no mods, 75k miles..

28 freeway and 24 overall..

The freeway mileage does drop some when it gets really cold..below about 40..but thats short-lived here in Arkansas..

dieseldriver56 · 06-12-2008, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttarbox

06 CRD, no mods, 75k miles..

28 freeway and 24 overall..

The freeway mileage does drop some when it gets really cold..below about 40..but thats short-lived here in Arkansas..

You're getting the numbers I think I "should" be getting. I actually think I'm getting good freeway mileage, except I don't get much opportunity for pure highway trips.

But I think my overall should also be in the 24 range. Why I'm close to 20 is my mystery.

I think I'll try switching stations for a few tanks. My favorite station had been somewhat cheaper than available competitors, but the side effect of the recent diesel price increases has been to compress the range of prices. So I can try a competitor; possibly get a better cetane rating. (Wishing the stations would be required to put cetane ratings on the pump.)

On that subject, I've used PowerService cetane boost without any luck (works well in my 7.3 PowerStroke).

Thanks for your numbers.

ukliberty · 06-12-2008, 01:44 PM

Hi, I am on 55K on mine now and I have noticed that the mileage has got better as its got more miles under the wheels.

I have a manual so get to maximise mpg, but I run 36psi and keep it below 70 to make the best mpg.

My evic is showing 27mpg (UK) with just city driving over last two months, but I think that figure is helped by the manual box and I drive it very lightly. Thats 3mpg more than I was getting at 30K.

Pablo · 06-13-2008, 11:05 AM

Better cetane makes a huge difference. To test if it does for you, buy a small thing of cetane booster and add it to your next tank. If it makes a big difference, the cetane is low.

Also, in moderate climates the recirc runs the ac. That shoots mileage down all the time. In cooler climates the engine heats itself using a viscous heater. That thing warms the motor up, but it guzzles fuel. Blocking the air flow over the radiator in cold weather has helped some.

Tires can make a big difference. I have 245/75/16 and in P rating I think they are actually helping my highway mileage. They have given me a higher gear ratio and I now cruise at a lower rpm. I am seeing 24-26 mixed driving, 3/4 highway, rest stop and go. I cruise around 75.

I have gotten up to 30 before. That involved watching the turbo and keeping the rpm below 2500. You can still go plenty fast (75) you just have to take awhile to get there.

If you are going to chip and tow, you may want a EGT guage (and a trans guage). That turbo works hard and it can put out some heat.

I assume most people know to replace the stock muffler with a better one or a straight pipe.

CATCRD · 06-13-2008, 05:25 PM

Some things that haven't been mentioned:
After your commute, come to a gradual stop, get out right away and feel your hubs/calipers/wheel centers for heat. You may have a brake caliper dragging or a wheel bearing bad.
Also have you ever had your wheel alignment checked?
Verify your odometer against mileposts or GPS. Most CRDs read low, so your mileage will be 2-5% better than calculated.

You're doing everything right as far as driving style, so I would expect you to get 25-26 on that commute.

dieseldriver56 · 06-14-2008, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CATCRD

Some things that haven't been mentioned:
After your commute, come to a gradual stop, get out right away and feel your hubs/calipers/wheel centers for heat. You may have a brake caliper dragging or a wheel bearing bad.
Also have you ever had your wheel alignment checked?
Verify your odometer against mileposts or GPS. Most CRDs read low, so your mileage will be 2-5% better than calculated.

You're doing everything right as far as driving style, so I would expect you to get 25-26 on that commute.

I tested against a GPS; 2% low is what mine reads.

I do want to get new tires, 235's at least. Do 245's work without a lift? I'm going to wear the stock tires down a bit more. I do expect some gain after I go that route. I'll probably get a new air filter real soon. Can anyone recommend a good air filter? I know about K&N.

What I'm so sure I want to do is a straight muffler.

I don't want any "drone", which I might get from the wrong muffler. I've been there with previous vehicles.
When's the payoff of a better flowing muffler? Since I'm only getting it for economy (don't need more performance) the expense vs the improved economy needs to payoff within a reasonable time.

I am very careful with my brakes, and more generally, managing energy/momentum as I drive. That's why I'm seeking mechanical means; I feel I've done all I can in terms of driving behavior.

Thanks again guys.

CATCRD · 06-16-2008, 05:37 PM

245/70-16 will fit without a lift, but probably hurt mileage.

Have you cleaned your MAP sensor? http://www.lostkjs.com/forum/phpBB2/...ic.php?t=22630

Several people have put a straight pipe in place of the factory muffler and claim no drone. Probably because there is still a restrictive cat and turbo in the exhaust stream. Gut the cat and I guess it gets pretty loud. Straight pipe would definitely be the best bang for the buck.

When you change your differential fluid, put 75W-90 in front and rear. This is the thinnest recommended fluid.